OCOL AS A REBEL IN THE POETRY OF OKOT P’ BITEK

ABSTRACT

This study has concentrated on showing that Okot P’ Bitek portrays Ocol as a rebel in Song of Lawino. Although the poet through the poem’s speaker draws on different aspects of the African and Western ways, it does not hide the fact that Ocol had become a problem. His rebellion against his people and their ways is the reasons for speaker’s lament. The speaker laments her lost love and the degradation of her people by one of them. Ocol had not only chosen another, he now hates, abuses and insults his people. Socially, Lawino is able to show through different aspects of their lives, Ocol’s relationship with his people. Lawina paints beautiful pictures of her people and culture, using different images and analogies but Ocol does not see the beauty of his people and their ways anymore. He cannot imagine doing things their way anymore. Their dance, clothes and general way of life were old and xxxx has rejected them and embraced modern way and innovations. Ocol has no kind word for his people anymore; he insults both the young and old, both blood relatives and clansmen.